In The News

Santa Cruz Sentinel, January 7, 2008: Local News

Letters to the editor: Praiseworthy

BY:Sentinel Staff Report

Christmas spirit alive and well Our staff at Above The Line [a nine-bed therapeutic residential treatment center for teen girls and Homes for Kids Foster Care Program] has noticed that more and more of our group-home girls are staying with us over the holiday season because they have no family to go home to for one reason or another. So, the Sentinel was kind enough to print a PSA asking for volunteers to help us get people to send Christmas cards to our girls to help them feel more wanted and cared about. We never expected the overwhelming response we received from our request. There are way too many people to thank, but everyone at Above The Line wants to say thank you to all those who contributed in any way. You have no idea how much it meant to our girls. This is the true meaning of Christmas.

John Cirillo, Executive Director Above The Line Aptos

For information, visit www.abovetheline.org, or call 724-3077, ex. 201

Register-Pajaronian Saturday, Nov 17th, 2007

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Group home provides treatment to girls, searches for funding

John Cirillo, executive director for Above the Line, talks about the successes of the 8-year-old program in Corralitos

BY:TODD GUILD

It's a quiet place on the outskirts of Watsonville, estled next to a handful of small businesses and farms. Above the Line .

Group Home is small - just a few small, unadorned buildings and a small organic garden. It was established in 1999 as a residential treatment center for teen girls aged 13 to 18 who are considered "at risk." "Above the Line is often the kids' last placement before they age out of the system," said John Cirillo, executive director of Above the Line. Several girls have successfully passed through the home, some with aspirations of becoming social workers themselves. Cirillo originally owned and ran The Spot, a computer-training center located in Santa Cruz. He also served on the board of directors for Above the Line and the Santa Cruz County juvenile justice system. About six months ago, the former director stepped down, and Cirillo moved into the top position. "I had no idea what I was doing, but I was happy to step in," he said. "It's always been my dream to work with at-risk youth." Nine girls live in the dorm rooms at Above the Line, sharing household duties and attending classes. They take turns planning meals and cooking, and the older ones sometimes get jobs in the community. They also take classes in the only all-girls alternative high school in the county. With the help of volunteers from the county's Regional Occupational Program, the girls have started an organic garden. Food from the garden goes to the school's kitchen, and to local shelters. "My goal is to keep programs like this thriving, and to develop more where we can provide support for at-risk youth," Cirillo said. This includes programs for former residents between 18 and 25 years old. Cirillo is currently trying to enhance the home's foster care program by including more bilingual and bicultural families. Most of the girls living at Above the Line have either been removed from their homes or have run afoul of the law and are on probation. If they don't get the support services they need, 70 percent of the kids who enter the home on probation end up in prison, said Cirillo. Many group homes have high staff turnover rates, but some Above the Line employees have stayed between five and 20 years. Having the consistency of a continuous staff is essential in providing effective therapy for the girls, said Cirillo. "Many of the girls come in with abandonment issues. They're ready for you to say goodbye before you say hello," he said. Cirillo attributes the longevity of his staff to the "therapeutic model" the home employs with both the residents and the staff. "These kids haven't had the best life training when they come here. We try to teach them how to interact, how to deal with anger and express pain in less destructive ways." The counselors practice this model as well, said Cirillo. "This seems to be the reason why they stick around," he said. The biggest problem facing group homes today is reduced state funding, said Cirillo. Many have been forced to choose between either closing down entirely or reducing their services to the kids. Cirillo estimates that for every dollar Above the Line spends, it receives 80 cents in funding from the state. An expected five percent boost in funding next year will barely help, he said. Fund-raising has become a necessary evil for group homes that want to keep their current level of service, a task for which most are unprepared, said Cirillo. "Every parent's goal is to raise their kids and give them the tools they need to lead a good life," he said. "That's our goal too, but we just have more issues to deal with. We're doing a lot of hard work, and we're saving lives."

For information, visit www.abovetheline.org, or call 724-3077, ex. 201

*Photos by Tarmo Hannula*

Santa Cruz Sentinel, November 4, 2007: Local News

A gift that makes for better night's rest

Sentinel Staff Report

She may have created the biggest slumber party in the county. Ariadne Symons, head of trial operations for the Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office, along with the help of many friends, set out across the county last week handing out free pairs of new pajamas for more than 600 children from infants to teenagers to nonprofit organizations that serve the most needy and at-risk kids in the county. For Above the Line, a nine-bed group home for teen girls outside Watsonville, the donation was a blessing, according to Executive Director John Cirillo. He said when children are put in difficult situations because of abusive or neglectful parents, they often find themselves without a home and in a shelter. "Sometimes our girls will come to us with only the clothes on their back," Cirillo said. Above the Line received 27 pairs of pajamas, one for each of its current residents and plenty for the girls who will come in the future. "They are scared and feel so out of place that first day. Getting to pick out something new and as personal as a pair of pajamas to wear their first night will help take the edge off just a little bit," Cirillo said. "I think it's a great idea and to be able to reach out all across the county with 600 pairs of pajamas in one day is quite a feat in logistics, as well." This was the first year Symons had made the donation, but she said she plans to make it an annual event.

Santa Cruz Sentinel, September 30, 2007: Local News

Santa Cruz - A successful resident from Above The Line group home for at-risk teen girls in Corralitos accepts a gift from Linda Bradley, the director of the Annual Lutheran Women's Missionaries League 'King of Hearts' District Retreat. The retreat was held recently at the Villa Maria Del Mar Retreat Center on East Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz. At center is John Cirillo, executive director of Above The Line, which was chosen as this year's nonprofit organization to be supported by this regional southwest Lutheran organization. The Lutheran Women's Missionaries League donated several different items to Above The Line, including gift bags for each of the nine residents. For information about Above The Line, visit www.abovetheline.org.

Santa Cruz Sentinel, June 16, 2007

Corralitos group home helps at-risk girls with lacking funding

CORRALITOS — Robin is 17. Her room is decorated with floral bedspread and a Valentine's Day banner. Her voice rises to a higher pitch when she evokes her upcoming 18th birthday. And almost every sentence she pronounces includes the word "definitely"

But Robin has the self-awareness of few teenagers and the vocabulary of someone who has spent long hours in counseling.

"I've become more sensitive, and looking at my inner self, recognizing why I'm angry," she said. "I've learned to feel my feelings here because before this I never wanted to cry. I was in tough mode"

Robin is a resident at Above the Line, a foster care residential program in Corralitos. The Sentinel is not using Robin's last name to protect her privacy given the circumstances that led her to the program. Above the Line houses nine at-risk teenage girls referred by the county justice system or child protection services. But with stagnant state funding, the nonprofit group home is struggling to remain sustainable without shortchanging the children.

Above the Line receives $5,234 per child every month, said John Cirillo, the group's new executive director. The rate, set by the state in 1991, hasn't increased since 2001. The California Alliance of Child and Family Services estimated an organization like Above the Line should receive $6,563 just to keep up with inflation.

The alliance is lobbying for a 5 percent funding increase in this year's state budget.

"It covers everything to take care of that young person that parents would normally take care of," said Carroll Schroeder, executive director of the alliance. "The difference is parents don't pay themselves for 24-hour care"

Personnel is the largest expense for group homes, although child care workers aren't paid much — barely more than minimum wage for entry-level positions — and most California group homes face high turnover rateid. Social worker Deborah Arnold has worked at the house for 18 years, and program director Jean Haebe for 22.

"When kids come in, frequently they have attachment issues," Arnold said. "To have a consistent caregiver for even six to nine months is sometimes more than they've had"

The group home provides the girls with a stable environment where they learn to live in a respectful community and build relationships, Arnold said. The girls share rooms, do chores together, participate in activities and community service, and most attend the on-site alternative education school. The house also provides intense therapeutic care with a psychologist.

"Imagine nine teenagers who haven't had a perfect life and perfect parenting, and throwing them together in a house," Haebe said. "It can be challenging"

The next project is to create an organic garden to teach the girls about healthy living and science. Above the Line is seeking donations of equipment and expertise for the garden as well as any other item that could serve the house, Cirillo said.

"We do a higher level of support here than we're funded for," Cirillo 's Day banner. Her voice rises to a higher pitch when she ev said. "And we don't want to give that up because this is the component that makes us unique, that makes us able to really affect lives"

Robin, who arrived at the house in January, described herself as an "angry child" then, but credits Above the Line for her transformation. In just two weeks, she will turn 18 and reunite with her father in Scotts Valley. She is set to graduate in January with credits from Cabrillo College and plans a career as a probation officer.

Robin speaks of her future with the candid confidence expected of a 17-year-old.

"Now I feel like when I leave this place, I'm gonna walk out of here, and I'm gonna be stronger, a lot wiser," she said. "And I'm definitely not gonna go back to my old ways"

Contact Isabelle Roughol at jcopeland@santacruzsentinel.com.

Above the Line
WHAT: A community-based nonprofit serving at-risk girls with a group home and foster care program.
WHERE: 2716 Freedom Blvd., Corralitos.
Information: www.abovetheline.org or call 724-3077. Donations can be made online.

You can find this story online at:
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2007/June/16/local/stories/03local.htm

Aptos Times , May 15, 2007

Foster Families – our community’s unsung heroes
Corralitos, CA – “Rebecca” was not able to live with her mother due to the mother’s neglect, violence and drug addiction. Living with domestic violence and a mother in and out of jail gave no chance for a normal childhood for “Rebecca.” Taken into protective custody by the county, an Above the Line/Homes for Kids (ATL/HFK) foster family took her in for five years and provided the love, support and stability that every child deserves. Since then she has graduated high school, is now attending UC Santa Barbara, and is an honor roll student! “Rebecca” is now over 18 and out of the system, but is busy becoming a successful adult!

Above the Line’s Philosophy
We believe every child deserves a home and a chance to find a path to a happy, successful life. At Above the Line we support and aggressively seek every possible solution for the children we serve.
“Jason” was five years old, had been removed from his home and placed in protective custody due to his mother’s drug addiction. His father sits in prison for domestic violence. Due to a dysfunctional family life “Jason” started acting out. He was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, (PTSD) a similar diagnosis many of our soldiers suffer from when they return from the horrors of war). “Jason’s” acting out was so severe he was unable to attend school or play with other children.

“Jason” went through many foster families who could not handle his behaviors. Ultimately, he came to ATL/HFK and an intensive treatment foster care services (ITFCS) program where the parents receive more intensive specialized training and more support from the HFK Social Worker staff. He has since graduated kindergarten and due to the wrap around treatment he received from his loving foster parents and the HFK’s support team, he is now more successfully participating in our community. Once “Jason’s” behaviors became more stabilized and acceptable his grandparents took him into their home and adopted him.

History
The Group Home Society was started in 1976 and merged with Above the Line in 2001 to effectively respond to the needs of increasing numbers of at-risk youth in Santa Cruz County, California. Its name reflects the founders’ belief that certain situations, such as teen abuse and neglect, are below the line of acceptability in our community.

There are more than 500,000 children in Foster Families across the U.S. today. Over 300 of them are in Santa Cruz County. Many of these children share similar tragic, heart wrenching horror stories that bring them into the foster family community. But when they are placed into a loving and supportive foster home, a happy ending is possible.

There’s an old saying, “You can choose your friends, but not your family.” At HFK, we redefine “family” and provide children with choices and with hope. Foster Parents are heroes that fly beneath the radar, saving our community’s neglected and abused children. AT HFK, our social workers train and support our foster parents; we attend school and family meetings, provide emotional support to the foster child, and on-call 24-hour assistance. Whatever it takes, we do it.

Today
Above the Line is an agency that runs two foster care programs, Homes for Kids and Intensive Treatment Foster Care, a 9-bed Group Home for the most severely at risk teen girls and has opened the Kashtan Educational building which houses an all -girls Alternative Education High School in conjunction with the County Office of Education on its consolidated campus in Corralitos. It’s recently newly elected Executive Director, John Cirillo, has come on board to spearhead the sustainability and growth of this great organization and continue to find new ways to meet the needs of our at-risk youth.

Unfortunately we sometimes have to turn away children needing foster families because there aren’t enough foster families available! We need your help. What does it take to become a foster parent? What kind of therapeutic and financial support do we provide? How can you become a hero in the eyes of a helpless child? Visit us at wwww.abovetheline.com and click on the foster care programs. Then RSVP 831-724-3077 x203 to attend our free Foster Parent Information night at the office of Business Teem, 10096 Soquel Dr., #10 on Thursday, June 7th from 6 pm - 7:30 pm.

This just might be the best thing you’ve ever done for yourself!

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Santa Cruz Sentinel, May 4, 2006

Above the Line remains a group home for now

A group home for at-risk girls will stay just that, after a report delivered to county supervisors on Tuesday showed the nonprofit is meeting contract obligations.

The 30-year lease between group home Above the Line and nonprofit developer Mercy Housing pretty much prohibits supervisors from kicking the group home out, the report concluded, as long as both groups meet contract agreements.

The debate arose earlier this year after supervisors learned the group home mainly serves girls from San Mateo County. They wondered if Above the Line was the best use of the property, as the county fronted $732,000 to Mercy Housing to buy the Corralitos ranch in 1998 to create a haven for dozens of homeless county teens. The property serves nine at-risk girls, with ten cabins rented out as affordable housing. However, Santa Cruz County girls have priority at the home.